Coram policy influence
We use the insight gained through our service delivery for children and young people to deliver research through the Coram Institute for Children, engaging with government, MPs, local authorities, social workers, teachers, carers and families – all those in a position to make a difference – to deliver better practice, systems and laws.
Latest policy news from Coram
Childcare entitlement expansion sees childcare costs for under-threes in England more than halve, whilst prices in Scotland and Wales continue to rise
Working parents of children under three in England now pay less than half of last year’s cost for a part-time nursery place according to the first annual childcare survey to be published since the government roll-out of childcare support began in April 2024.
Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill Coram briefing for Lord Second Reading, May 2025
The Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill returned to Parliament on 1 May 2025 for its 2nd Reading in the House of Lords. This briefing on the Bill's key provisions is informed by our direct work in legal advice and advocacy services, care planning and placement, personal, social, health and economic education across 2,800 schools.
Foundations launches research with Coram and partners to fill data gaps on Family Group Conferences
Today, Foundations (the What Works Centre for Children and Families), Coram and partners publish a new report revealing gaps in the national picture of Family Group Conferences (FGCs), and launch further research including a national data collection, to fill these gaps.
Coram research finds local authorities still routinely failing in legal duties to homeless children
Local authorities are routinely failing in their legal duties to children aged between 16-17 years old who become homeless, leaving them without the support they are entitled to, according to new research published today by the Coram Institute for Children.
Coram in Parliament
We are frequently invited to give evidence or respond to government or parliamentary consultations on issues affecting children and young people.
- Immigration White Paper, 12th May – CCLC response
- Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill – Lords 2nd Reading Briefing, May 2025
- A National Voice – 325 care-experienced young people send message to Children’s Minister
- Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill – written response to DfE, February 2025
- Spending Review Phase 2 – written response to HM Treasury, February 2025
See the full list of 2024/25 parliamentary engagement here
- Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill – Coram response, January 2025
- Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill – Coram CEO Dr Carol Homden oral evidence to Public Bill Committee January 2025
- Children’s social care – CoramBAAF head of policy James Bury oral evidence to Education Committee December 2024
Our research
We regularly publish reports based on our work setting out how life can be made better for children and young people, while the Coram Institute for Children produces more in-depth research. You can find a library of all our key research and other publications below.
Coram Charter for Children
On a range of metrics, life is no longer getting better for all our children and young people, with the Institute of Fiscal Studies reporting substantial reduction in real value in the areas of public expenditure on which children depend over the last 20 years. In response, Coram presents the Charter for Children as a route map for the coming decade and beyond, setting out how we can realign the social contract between society and children, backed by three key principles – a fair share, a secure future and an equal chance.
Working with us
We are always keen to work with all those in the policy area with a remit for improving the life chances of children and young people. If you would like to see our work in action, require briefing or any other information, please get in touch.
For more details on what we do, please read our Working with us leaflet.
Download the leaflet Get in touch